A Winter Must-Eat! Taste Authentic Motsu-Nabe in the Center of Fukuoka

There's nothing better than a nice nabe (hot pot) on a winter night! When it starts getting colder, just the thought of delicious motsu-nabe, with its chewy offal and juicy vegetables soaked in a flavorful soup you can drink up with noodles or rice, is enough to make your heart giddy. With that said, check out these restaurants where you can enjoy motsu-nabe in its birthplace of Fukuoka, together with sake or shochu (varieties of Japanese alcohol). They're all in the city center and super popular, so make sure you make a reservation.

1. Yonbankan

This superb motsu-nabe is made with offal of Miyazaki beef, a Kuroge Wagyu (black Japanese beef) brand that has won first place for 2 consecutive years in the National Wagyu Competition, which is almost like the Olympics for wagyu. In this dish, the umami (Japanese savory taste) of the ingredients is maximized by a rich homemade soup.

One bite will have you addicted to the [Hakata Aka-Nabe Dakgalbi]!

The mellow flavor of their [Hakata Mizutaki] is achieved by combining the umami of vegetables with the chicken-based stock.

2. Kawano Hakata Branch

This place serves a traditional motsu-nabe whose flavor has been passed on since 1953. It has its main branch in Haruyoshi in the Chuo Ward. To make its motsu-nabe, it uses the best domestic vegetables and offal from wagyu produced in Kyushu, which are combined with 3 types of soup: their long-standing traditional [Soy Sauce]; the tasty [Miso] that’s made from a blend that includes Saikyo miso; and the [Japanese-style Dashi], a superior broth that tastes great with seared offal. If you're in Hakata, don't miss this opportunity to taste its traditional food.

They have rice, barley, buckwheat, and sweet potato shochu stocked from Kyushu and other parts of Japan.

The tatami rooms can seat up to 40 customers, and they have course meals with all-you-can-drink options.

Kawano Hakata Branch

3. Hamaya Tenjin Branch

An offal wholesaler manages this restaurant specializing in authentic Hakata motsu-nabe. Their white miso motsu-nabe has an excellent deep flavor that comes from the Saikyo miso soup base, procured from a centuries-old miso maker in Kyoto. They also make sure that their ingredients are 100% Japanese, from the seasonal vegetables to each and every sesame seed. It’s a great place for trying authentic motsu-nabe!

This is a new way to finish off the soup of your motsu-nabe: pour it on top of a crunchy onigiri (rice ball)!

4. Mansakuya

This restaurant aims to create an original motsu-nabe from only offal and vegetables. The result is their motsu-nabe with sukiyaki (a type of hot pot stew) twist, which is stewed in a hot stone pot together with a mellow-flavored secret sauce. Their fresh offals are large and super filling and are procured every day using special supply routes.

The menu contains lots of popular liquor brands from Niigata, like the Kubota series.

If you're alone and want to enjoy motsu-nabe, you can sit at the counter.

5. Ooyama Main Branch

A long process of trial and error led to the creation of the sublime miso soup of this motsu-nabe. It incorporates a blend of over 10 kinds of miso and has a rich and sophisticated flavor that is intense yet will not bore you.

They stock several kinds of potato shochu and sake, which go great with motsu-nabe.

You can have a relaxing time in its quiet interiors with jazz music playing in the background.

6. Shibata

This motsu-nabe boasts a fantastic soup made with a unique blend of ingredients. You can choose between 3 varieties: miso, soy sauce, and mizutaki-style. Go for the miso version if you want to taste the strong yet refreshing flavor of their unique blend that fully enhances the flavor and umami of the miso. You'll want to drink it up until the very last drop!

7. Motsumaru Main Branch

Classic motsu-nabe has either a soy sauce or miso base. However, this restaurant’s innovative motsu-nabe is eaten with a special vinegared soy sauce, similar to shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables). The melt-in-the-mouth texture of the offal tastes amazing with the refreshing flavor of the sauce.

Chicken wings and gyoza (dumplings) are the undeniable combination! Have them with vinegared soy sauce.

Pair your motsu-nabe with one of their many shochu; they taste perfect together!

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